Concentration Ratio Research Articles

Experimental investigation on a solar dryer assisted with minimum phase change material (PCM) placed on the inner walls of drying chamber

Solar dryers assisted with phase change material (PCM) speed up the drying process by compensating the negating effect of reduced or absence of solar energy under cloudy or non-sunshine hours respectively. The study of the relevant and recent literature indicated that the minimum quantity and proper placement of this PCM have not been explored to take full advantage of using them in solar dryers. Hence in this research work, experimental investigations on banana slice drying were carried out with 4 and 10 numbers of copper tubes filled with 176 and 494 kg of commercial paraffin wax respectively (correspondingly designated as SD-PCM1 and SD-PCM2). The copper tubes were placed in vertical and horizontal orientations on the inner wall of the drying chamber so that the upward movement of air would not disturbed. A comparison of the drying performance of a PCM-based unit with a natural convective solar dryer without PCM (SD) was also presented. As no appreciable differences between the mass loss during drying under SD and SD-PCM1 modes were observed, it was concluded that a mass of PCM greater than 176 g would enhance drying rates. Thus for the same final mass of dried banana slices, the drying time was about 15 and 9 h with SD and SD-PCM2 respectively. As the operating conditions of SD and SD-PCM vary considerably in terms of the thermal energy supplied during the drying process, the concept of a generalized drying curve with dimensionless time was used to study the drying kinetics. A close alignment of experimental data of moisture content ratio with the generalized drying curve under SD and SD-PCM modes indicates similar dryer performance irrespective of the differences in thermal energy supplied. The average exergetic efficiency of SD, SD-PCM1 and SD-PCM2 was 21, 26 and 28 % respectively. The sustainability index and environmental impact factor for SD-PCM2 were 1.41 and 2.5 respectively which was better compared to the respective values of 1.27 and 3.77 in SD mode favoring the use of PCM in solar dryers.

Sample preservation methods for nitrous oxide concentration and isotope ratio measurements in aquatic environments

AbstractThe nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) stable isotope analysis of dissolved nitrous oxide (N2O) can provide important constraints on the sources and cycling of N2O in aquatic environments. The isotopic composition of aqueous N2O, both in field (natural abundance) or experimental (15N‐labeling) samples, however, may be altered by abiotic reactions involving nitrite () or hydroxylamine (NH2OH) and microbial activity during sample storage, if samples are not adequately preserved. Here we tested five different preservatives, mercuric chloride (HgCl2), copper sulfate (CuSO4), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), hydrochloric acid (HCl) mixed with sulfamic acid (SFA), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), for fixing natural water samples from an estuary and a lake with different concentrations over a range of different storage times for N2O analyses. ZnCl2 and CuSO4 decreased the pH, and led to abiotic N2O production from , shifting the N2O isotopic composition significantly. Removal of with a mixture of SFA and HCl did not always prevent the alteration of the original N and O isotope composition of N2O, confirming the requirement for complete removal, and underscoring the biasing effects of at very low pH, even at trace levels. At low background, HgCl2 preservation led to robust and accurate results. However, in light of its toxicity and bioaccumulation potential in food webs, this fixative should be avoided. The addition of NaOH reduced abiotic side reactions involving , and yielded the most reliable and reproducible results for N2O concentration and isotope ratio measurements across tested settings and storage times.

Catalytic cracking of crude palm oil into biogasoline over HZSM-5 and USY-Zeolite catalysts: A comparative study

This study comprehensively evaluated HZSM-5 and USY-Zeolite as catalysts for producing biogasoline from crude palm oil through a catalytic cracking method, including uncertainty analysis. This study utilized HZSM-5 and USY-Zeolite as catalysts with crude palm oil (CPO) concentration ratios of 1:50, 1:75, 1:100, and 1:125. USY-Zeolite (19.06 %) exhibited a higher biogasoline yield than HZSM-5 (39.56 %) because of its optimal pore structure, as proven by N₂ physisorption characterization. Physicochemical characterization of biogasoline included flash point, viscosity, boiling point, and octane number measurements. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to determine the chemical composition of biogasoline. An elevated catalyst ratio results in reduced liquid yields and biogasoline fractions. At a ratio of 1:125, the HZSM-5 catalyst produced the highest biogasoline yield (39.56 %). GC–MS analysis revealed that biogasoline contained various hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. Life cycle assessment (LCA) also demonstrated that this method can reduce the scarcity of mineral and fossil resources by 85 % and 35 %, respectively. Biogasoline's physical and chemical characteristics are significantly impacted by the type of catalyst and its various modifications. This study provides evidence that the catalytic cracking technique is suitable for producing biogasoline from CPO and yields positive results.

Impact of advanced age on the gastric emptying of water under fasted and fed state conditions

Although older people are the main users of oral medications, few studies are reported on the influence of advanced age on gastric emptying rate of non-caloric liquids. This study aimed at evaluating the gastric emptying of 240 ml water in healthy older and young adults in fasted and fed state conditions using the established method of salivary caffeine kinetics. The gastric emptying of water was evaluated in 12 healthy older volunteers (mean age: 73 ± 6 years) and 12 healthy younger volunteers (mean age: 25 ± 2 years) with the ingestion of a rapid disintegrating tablet containing 20 mg of 13C3-caffeine. The gastric emptying of water was assessed indirectly by calculating the AUC ratios of salivary caffeine concentrations in specific time segments. Comparison of the AUC ratios showed no statistically significant difference between young and older volunteers in both fasted and fed state conditions (p > 0.05). Advanced age itself seems to have no relevant effect on gastric emptying of water in either fasted or fed state conditions and the phenomenon of Magenstrasse appears to follow a similar pattern in healthy older adults as in healthy younger adults.

Changes in Physicochemical Characteristics of Goat Meat Emulsion-type Sausage According to the Ratio of Fat and Water Contents

Changes in Physicochemical Characteristics of Goat Meat Emulsion-type Sausage According to the Ratio of Fat and Water Contents

Key Component Analysis of the Time Toxicity Interaction of Five Antibiotics to Q67.

Antibiotics are considered as persistent emerging contaminants. The phenomenon of mixed exposure to the environment is a common occurrence causing serious harm to human health and the environment. Therefore, we employed enrofloxacin (ENR), chlortetracycline (CTC), methotrexate (TMP), chloramphenicol (CMP), and erythromycin (ETM) in this study. Nine treatments were designed using the uniform design concentration ratio (UDCR) method to systematically determine the toxicity of individual contaminants and their mixtures on Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.-Q67 through the time-dependent microplate toxicity assay. The combinatorial index (CI) method and the dose reduction index (DRI) were used to analyze the toxic interactions of the mixtures and the magnitude of the contribution of each component to the toxic interactions. The results showed that the toxicities of ENR, CTC, TMR, CMP, and ETM and their mixtures were time-dependent, with toxic effects being enhanced except when exposure time was prolonged. The types of toxic interactions in the ENR-CTC-TMR-CMP-ETM mixtures were found to be correlated with the proportion of each component's concentration, where the proportion of the components exerted the most significant influence. Through DRI extrapolation, it was determined that the primary components of the mixture exhibited a pronounced dependency on time. Specifically, at the 4 h mark, TMP emerged as the predominant component, gradually giving way to ENR as time advanced. Upon analyzing the frequency of mixture interactions under specified effects, the additive effect appeared most frequently (66.6%), while the antagonist effect appeared the least frequently (15.9%) among the nine rays.

StepBrain: A 3-Dimensionally Printed Multicompartmental Anthropomorphic Brain Phantom to Simulate PET Activity Distributions.

An innovative multicompartmental anatomic brain phantom (StepBrain) is described to simulate the invivo tracer uptake of gray matter, white matter, and striatum, overcoming the limitations of currently available phantoms. Methods: StepBrain was created by exploiting the potential of fused deposition modeling 3-dimensional printing to replicate the real anatomy of the brain compartments, as modeled through ad hoc processing of healthy-volunteer MR images. Results: A realistic simulation of 18F-FDG PET brain studies, using target activity to obtain the real concentration ratios, was obtained, and the results of postprocessing with partial-volume effect correction tools developed for human PET studies confirmed the accuracy of these methods in recovering the target activity concentrations. Conclusion: StepBrain compartments (gray matter, white matter, and striatum) can be simultaneously filled, achieving different concentration ratios and allowing the simulation of different (e.g., amyloid, tau, or 6-fluoro-l-dopa) tracer distributions, with a potentially valuable role for multicenter PET harmonization studies.

Ship Emission Measurements Using Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Review

This review investigates the ship emission measurements using multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The monitoring of emissions from shipping is a priority globally, because of the necessity to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, there is widespread global effort to extensively measure vessel fuel sulfur content (FSC). The majority of studies indicate that more commonly used methods for measuring ship emission with UAVs is the sniffing method. Most of the research is concerned with determining the fuel sulfur content. Fuel sulfur content can be determined by the ratio of CO2 and SO2 concentration in the exhaust gas plume. For CO2, the non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) method is used, the most common measuring range reaches 0–2000 ppm, the overall measuring range 0–10,000 ppm, and detection accuracy is ±5–300 ppm. For SO2, the electrochemical (EC) method is used, the measuring range reaches 0–100 ppm, and the detection accuracy is ±5 ppm. Common UAV characteristics, used in measurement with ships, involve the following: 8–10 m/s of wind resistance, 5–6 kg maximum payload, and a flight distance ranging from 5 to 10 km. This can change in the near future, since a variety of emission measuring devices that can be mounted on UAVs are available on the market. The range of available elements differs from device to device, but available ranges are allowed and the accuracy provides good possibilities for wider research into ship emissions.

Evaluation of the compliance of diet plans and nutritional advice generated by artificial intelligence with guidelines for cardiac patients

Abstract Introduction In response to the increasing demand for personalization in cardiac dietetics, tools based on artificial intelligence (AI) are gaining popularity. We assess the compliance of AI-generated nutritional advice and diet plans with current dietary standards. Objective The study aims to evaluate whether nutritional advice and diet plans created by AI for heart disease patients align with the recommended caloric intake and macronutrient ratios, based on current dietary guidelines. Methods Using selected AI tools, nutritional advice and diet plans were generated for defined dietary scenarios corresponding to specific cardiac diagnoses. The analysis included assessing the caloric content and macronutrient composition (protein, fat, carbohydrates) compared to current guidelines. Results The analysis showed that the majority of the AI-generated diet plans and nutritional advice were compliant with dietary recommendations, with an >75% compliance rate for caloric content and macronutrient ratios. However, instances of non-compliance were discovered, suggesting a need for further adjustment of AI algorithms. Conclusions AI tools demonstrate potential in creating personalized diet plans for cardiac patients but require optimization to fully meet current dietary guidelines. The study highlights the importance of integrating dietary knowledge into the design process of AI tools, which is crucial for providing high-quality nutritional support.

Comparative analysis: particle size and bactericidal efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles with aloe vera gel versus aloe vera gel-honey

In the realm of nanoscience, the inherent antibacterial potential of nanoparticles (NPs) stands as an alluring prospect for the development of pharmaceutical interventions. Yet, conventional chemical and physical NPs fabrication methods pose environmental and safety concerns. The aim of this study is to greenly-synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aloe vera gel (AVG) and aloe vera gel-honey (AVG-honey) under different reactant-to-chemical reductant (or precursor-to-reducing agent) ratio conditions, facilitated by sonication. Structural and optical characteristics of synthesized ZnO NPs were explicated through Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy (UV–vis). Concurrently, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) delineated the crystalline disposition and morphological behaviors. The antibacterial susceptibility of ZnO NPs against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Klebsiella Pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) was investigated using the disc diffusion method. The structures of biosynthesized ZnO NPs were confirmed through distinctive peaks in FTIR and UV–vis spectra. XRD unveils hexagonal wurtzite crystallinity, while FESEM captured distinct morphologies, which are spherical and rice-shaped, in ZnO NPs/AVG, while ZnO NPs/AVG-honey revealed micro-size spherical structures surrounded by numerous tiny lumps. Notably, ZnO NPs/AVG at a 1:6 ratio exhibits a 26.5 nm size, showcasing superior antibacterial efficacy against MRSA (ZOI = 12 mm) and K. pneumoniae (ZOI = 13 mm) compared to other reactant-to-chemical reductant ratios and ZnO NPs/AVG-honey. In conclusion, the study revealed that ZnO NPs synthesized solely using AVG exhibited finer particle sizes and slightly enhanced antibacterial efficacy compared to ZnO NPs formulated with a combination of AVG and honey. This outcome shows that utilization of two reducing agents will contribute to large size of nanoparticles, thus reduce the efficiency of the antibacterial susceptibility. Moreover, the concentration ratios of reactants-to-chemical reductants emerged as crucial determinants in the nanoparticle synthesis process.

Aggravating Pollution of Emerging Aryl Organophosphate Esters in Urban Estuarine Sediments of South China.

Emerging aryl organophosphate esters (aryl-OPEs) have been employed as substitutes for organohalogen flame retardants in recent years; however, their environmental occurrence and associated impacts in urban estuarine sediments have not been adequately investigated, impeding regulatory decision-making. Herein, field-based investigations and modeling based on surface sediment and sediment core analysis were employed to uncover the historical pollution and current environmental impacts of aryl-OPEs in the Pearl River Estuary, South China. Our results revealed a substantial increase in aryl-OPE emission, particularly emerging aryl-OPEs, through sediment transport to the estuary since the 2000s. The emerging aryl-OPEs comprised 83% of the total annual input in the past decade, with an average annual input of 155,000 g. Additionally, the emerging-to-traditional aryl-OPE concentration ratios increased with decreasing distance from the shore, peaking in the highly urbanized riverine outlets. These findings indicate that inventories of emerging aryl-OPEs are likely increasing in estuarine sediments and their emissions are surpassing those of traditional aryl-OPEs. Our risk-based priority screening approach indicates that some emerging aryl-OPEs, particularly bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), can pose a higher environmental risk than traditional aryl-OPEs in estuarine sediments. Overall, our study highlights the importance of recognizing the environmental impacts of emerging aryl-OPEs.

Probing diffusion of water and metabolites to assess white matter microstructure in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive X-linked neuromuscular disorder caused by the absence of functional dystrophin protein. In addition to muscle, dystrophin is expressed in the brain in both neurons and glial cells. Previous studies have shown altered white matter microstructure in patients with DMD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). However, DTI measures the diffusion properties of water, a ubiquitous molecule, making it difficult to unravel the underlying pathology. Diffusion-weighted spectroscopy (DWS) is a complementary technique which measures diffusion properties of cell-specific intracellular metabolites. Here we performed both DWS and DTI measurements to disentangle intra- and extracellular contributions to white matter changes in patients with DMD. Scans were conducted in patients with DMD (15.5 ± 4.6 y/o) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (16.3 ± 3.3 y/o). DWS measurements were obtained in a volume of interest (VOI) positioned in the left parietal white matter. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were calculated for total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA), choline compounds (tCho), and total creatine (tCr). The tNAA/tCr and tCho/tCr ratios were calculated from the non-diffusion-weighted spectrum. Mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), axial diffusivity (AD), and fractional anisotropy of water within the VOI were extracted from DTI measurements. DWS and DTI data from patients with DMD (respectively n= 20 and n= 18) and n= 10 healthy controls were included. No differences in metabolite ADC or in concentration ratios were found between patients with DMD and controls. In contrast, water diffusion (MD, t= -2.727, p= 0.011; RD, t= -2.720, p= 0.011; AD, t= -2.715, p= 0.012) within the VOI was significantly higher in patients compared with healthy controls. Taken together, our study illustrates the potential of combining DTI and DWS to gain a better understanding of microstructural changes and their association with disease mechanisms in a clinical setting.

Studying the Impact of Heat Treatments and Distance from Pith on the Sorption Behavior of Tree of Heaven Wood (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle)

The application of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is constrained by its poor durability and dimensional stability. Despite exhibiting promising physical and mechanical properties comparable to ash wood (Fraxinus excelsior L.), it is regarded as an invasive species and receives limited attention in wood property enhancement research. This study subjected tree of heaven to heat treatment at 180 °C and 200 °C to investigate its sorption characteristics using dynamic vapor sorption tests. The results revealed a 13% reduction in equilibrium moisture content at 95% relative humidity and 25 °C after thermal modification at 180 °C and a 25% reduction after thermal modification at 200 °C. Increasing the treatment temperature lowered the moisture content ratio to 0.76 and shortened the conditioning time by up to 10%. The highest hysteresis, ranging from 3.39% to 3.88%, was observed at 70% relative humidity.

Utilization of modified epoxidized natural rubber and zinc oxide on properties of polylactic acid/epoxidized natural rubber blends: Mechanical properties, antibacterial efficiency and biodegradability

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biopolymer with brittleness and no antibacterial efficiency, which can be solved by the combination with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) due to polar-polar interaction and with modified zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) regarding the releasing of zinc ions (Zn2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). To minimize self-interaction in each PLA and ENR molecular chain, ENR with different % epoxidation was modified (mENR) by grafting with sebacic acid (SA). The addition of mENR with 50 % mol to PLA significantly improved the properties of pure PLA in terms of mechanical and impact properties, toughness, and also provided disinfectant ability. Regarding antibacterial properties, the efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was significantly improved by adding ZnO to the blends. Combination of mENR to PLA matrix during mixing operation increases improved ZnO dispersion and distribution in PLA/mENR blends. Thus, antibacterial efficiency had been enhanced using proper mENR:ZnO concentration ratios in the PLA matrix, relative to other modified ZnO types. Also, incorporation of mENR:ZnO enhanced impact strength and retarded biodegradability of the blends due to hydrophobicity of ENR in PLA matrix. The findings of the blends' properties suggest potential for new functional applications, especially in disinfectant sheet lamination products where strength and protection against bacterial growth together with proper degradation period are required.

Silk fibroin/vitreous humor hydrogel scaffold modified by a carbodiimide crosslinker for wound healing.

Natural-derived biomaterials can be used as substrates for the growth, proliferation, and differentiation of cells. In this study, bovine vitreous humor as a biological material was cross-linked to silk fibroin with different concentration ratios to design a suitable substrate for corneal tissue regeneration. The cross-linked samples were evaluated with different analyses such as structural, physical (optical, swelling, and degradation), mechanical, and biological (viability, cell adhesion) assays. The results showed that all samples had excellent transparency, especially those with higher silk fibroin content. Increasing the ratio of vitreous humor to silk fibroin decreased mechanical strength and increased swelling and degradation, respectively. There was no significant difference in the toxicity of the samples, and with the increase in vitreous humor ratio, adhesion and cell proliferation increased. Generally, silk fibroin with vitreous humor can provide desirable characteristics as a transparent film for corneal wound healing.

Analyzing the adjustment mechanism of daily sediment content under large reservoir operations

Adjustment of daily discharge and sediment content in the Lower Jinsha River Basin has changed dramatically. However, the adjustment mechanism of daily sediment content under reservoir operation remains unclear. The Double Mass Curve (DMS) method was used to divide different periods of daily discharge-sediment content relationship change, and the Flow Duration Curve (FDC) was used to calculate the energy dissipation of streamflow by reservoirs. With the operation of large reservoirs, the average flood discharge and its proportion significantly decreased. With the variation in flow regime, the quantile relationship and Lower boundary relationship of daily discharge and sediment content both showed a downward trend, from 1999 to 2019. Under different periods, adjustment of the cross-flow profile was decreased with larger daily discharge, which was characterized by the ratio of sediment content to the lower boundary. An improved flow duration curve method was proposed to calculate the energy dissipation of streamflow. We discovered a novel model between the relative reduction of sediment content and relative energy dissipation of the daily discharge regime, with a good fitness of 0.97. In this study, the effect of the flow regime constructed on sediment content change was emphasized. It is helpful to evaluate the sediment reduction of the total basin caused by reservoirs.

The usefulness of determining plasma and tissue concentrations of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides to estimate their efficacy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

Currently four kinds of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) such as viltolarsen have been approved for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); however, it is unclear whether human efficacy can be estimated using plasma concentrations. This study summarizes the tissue distribution of viltolarsen in mice and cynomolgus monkeys and evaluates the relationship between exposure and efficacy based on exon skipping. In the tissue distribution studies, all muscles in DMD model mice showed higher concentrations of viltolarsen than those in wild-type mice and cynomolgus monkeys, and the concentrations in skeletal muscle were correlated with the exon-skipping efficiency in mice and cynomolgus monkeys. In addition, a highly sensitive bioanalytical method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry shows promise for determining plasma concentrations up to a later time point, and the tissue (muscle)/plasma concentration ratio (Kp) in DMD model mice was shown to be useful for predicting changes in pharmacodynamic (PD) markers in humans. Our results suggest that pharmacokinetic (PK)/PD analysis can be conducted by using the human PK profile or Kp values and skipping efficiency in DMD model mice. This information will be useful for the efficient and effective development of PMOs as therapeutic agents. Significance Statement We compare that plasma and tissue concentrations with the efficiency of exon skipping for viltolarsen as an example phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers in skeletal and cardiac muscle of mice and cynomolgus monkeys for pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) analysis. Our results suggest that PK/PD analysis can be conducted by using the human PK profile or Kp values and skipping efficiency in DMD model mice.

Adipose Tissue Sex Steroids in Postmenopausal Women with and without Menopausal Hormone Therapy.

The decrease in serum estrogens after menopause is associated with a shift from a gynoid to an android adipose tissue (AT) distribution. Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) mitigates this change and accompanying metabolic dysfunction, but its effects on AT sex steroid metabolism have not been characterized. We studied effects of HT on subcutaneous and visceral AT estrogen and androgen concentrations and metabolism in postmenopausal women. Serum and subcutaneous and visceral AT from 63 postmenopausal women with (n=50) and without (n=13) per oral HT were analyzed for estrone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and serum estrone sulfate using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Steroid sulfatase activity was measured using radiolabeled precursors. mRNA expression of genes encoding sex steroid-metabolizing enzymes and receptors was performed using real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. HT users had 4- to 7-fold higher concentrations of estrone and estradiol in subcutaneous and visceral AT, and 30% lower testosterone in visceral AT compared to non-users. Estrogen-to-androgen ratios were 4- to 12-fold higher in AT of users compared to non-users of HT. In visceral AT, estrogen-to-androgen ratios increased with HT estradiol dose. AT to serum ratios of estrone and estradiol remained high in HT users. Higher local estrogen to androgen ratios and high AT to serum ratios of estrogen concentrations in HT users suggest that HT may significantly influence intracrine sex steroid metabolism in AT, and these local changes could be involved in the preventive effect of HT on menopause-associated abdominal adiposity.

Adipose Tissue Sex Steroids in Postmenopausal Women with and without Menopausal Hormone Therapy.

The decrease in serum estrogens after menopause is associated with a shift from a gynoid to an android adipose tissue (AT) distribution. Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) mitigates this change and accompanying metabolic dysfunction, but its effects on AT sex steroid metabolism have not been characterized. We studied effects of HT on subcutaneous and visceral AT estrogen and androgen concentrations and metabolism in postmenopausal women. Serum and subcutaneous and visceral AT from 63 postmenopausal women with (n=50) and without (n=13) per oral HT were analyzed for estrone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and serum estrone sulfate using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Steroid sulfatase activity was measured using radiolabeled precursors. mRNA expression of genes encoding sex steroid-metabolizing enzymes and receptors was performed using real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. HT users had 4- to 7-fold higher concentrations of estrone and estradiol in subcutaneous and visceral AT, and 30% lower testosterone in visceral AT compared to non-users. Estrogen-to-androgen ratios were 4- to 12-fold higher in AT of users compared to non-users of HT. In visceral AT, estrogen-to-androgen ratios increased with HT estradiol dose. AT to serum ratios of estrone and estradiol remained high in HT users. Higher local estrogen to androgen ratios and high AT to serum ratios of estrogen concentrations in HT users suggest that HT may significantly influence intracrine sex steroid metabolism in AT, and these local changes could be involved in the preventive effect of HT on menopause-associated abdominal adiposity.

Solar Window Innovations: Enhancing Building Performance through Advanced Technologies

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glazing systems with intelligent window technologies enhance building energy efficiency by generating electricity and managing daylighting. This study explores advanced BIPV glazing, focusing on building-integrated concentrating photovoltaic (BICPV) systems. BICPV integrates concentrating optics, such as holographic films, luminescent solar concentrators (LSC), Fresnel lenses, and compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs), with photovoltaic cells. Notable results include achieving 17.9% electrical efficiency using cylindrical holographic optical elements and crystalline silicon cells at a 3.5× concentration ratio. Dielectric CPCs showed 97.7% angular acceptance efficiency in simulations and 94.4% experimentally, increasing short-circuit current and maximum power by 87.0% and 96.6%, respectively, across 0° to 85° incidence angles. Thermochromic hydrogels and thermotropic smart glazing systems demonstrated significant HVAC energy savings. Large-area 1 m2 PNIPAm-based thermotropic window outperformed conventional double glazing in Singapore. The thermotropic parallel slat transparent insulation material (TT PS-TIM) improved energy efficiency by up to 21.5% compared to double glazing in climates like London and Rome. Emerging dynamic glazing technologies combine BIPV with smart functions, balancing transparency and efficiency. Photothermally controlled methylammonium lead iodide PV windows achieved 68% visible light transmission, 11.3% power conversion efficiency, and quick switching in under 3 min. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal smart windows provided 41–68% visible transmission with self-powered operation.